Minimal Access

The NSTC has been at the forefront of Minimal Access
Surgery since its first course in Sept 2007. Since then expert
National and International Faculty led by surgeons from Newcastle
Hospitals have trained surgeons, nurses and allied health
professionals from UK and abroad in the operating room set-up,
patient preparation and techniques of advanced minimal access
surgery.

The cadaveric model has been shown to mimic normal operating
conditions with regard to anatomical structures, planes of tissue
dissection, colour and flexibility of tissues. This has been
recognised by surgeons from many disciplines and the demand for
such courses has risen dramatically over recent years. Minimal
access courses taking place at the NSTC include colorectal surgery,
prostatectomy, liver surgery, abdominal wall hernia surgery,
cystectomy, upper GI and arthroscopic surgery.

The NSTC formed an integral part of the successful bid for
Newcastle to become a National Training Centre for the Department
of Health's National Training Programme in Laparoscopic Colorectal
Surgery. The use of fresh cadavers allows for practical hands-on
sessions with operating theatre conditions, state of the art
surgical equipment, expert faculty and precise reproduction of each
step involved in these advanced procedures.

The NSTC has helped surgical staff at Newcastle to be at the
forefront of new technology and to be among the first surgeons in
the World to pioneer the techniques of Natural Orifice Surgery and
Single-port surgery which has transcended from a laboratory
technique to the operating theatres at Newcastle
Hospitals.